Experiencing menstrual cramps is completely normal. Abdominal pain is most common, but you can also feel pain in the back, while some women get unbearable headaches, feel dizzy, get cold sweats, and feel generally unwell.
Photo by Polina Zimmerman from Pexels
Menstrual cramps usually occur someday before or at the beginning of menstruation. For some, they last during the entire period but for most women, they go away after a few days. They are something that can disturb your inner peace and break your mood. However, you don’t have to throw in the towel and let the pain rule your life, as there is so much you can do on your own to relieve the pain.
CBD Products
Image source: Kindel Media from Pexels
More women are discovering that CBD is an extremely good remedy for menstrual problems. Although it’s common to have cramps, they can prevent many women from living the life they want. CBD products for cramps provide relief from mood swings, swelling, and headaches that are all linked to menstruation.
This is due to a combination of the muscle-relaxant and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD together with its synergistic effect on the human endocannabinoid system responsible for creating balance in the body.
When women take CBD, they experience a significant improvement in their period symptoms such as cramps, sore breasts, bleeding, and hormone rash. Try applying a CBD cream or oil gently to the abdomen area and massage it, as it will relax your body.
The best part of CBD for menstrual cramps is that it has no side effects and works naturally with the body. This will lift your spirits and increase your well-being during this time of the month.
Healthy Diet
Image source: Amanda Jones from Unsplash
Menstruation is a complicated process, as a woman’s hormones, organs, and nervous system work together. If you experience increased hunger before your period, this is completely normal as your energy needs increase during the days leading up to menstruation.
Instead of resorting to sweets and fast food as a quick fix, try to cover the energy needs through a healthy and varied diet.
Diet is fundamental to all types of health difficulties. For menstrual cramps, the below-mentioned food choices can help you alleviate any pains while maintaining a healthy and delicious diet.
Broccoli: This vegetable contains a large amount of magnesium, which is also called “nature’s sedative” helping nerves and muscles function effectively. One of its more important functions is to make the muscles relax after contraction.
Raspberry: This fruit contains a lot of fiber, which relieves menstrual pain by helping the body maintain a healthy hormonal balance. Fiber cleanses the digestive system and helps eliminate waste from the body. If we don’t go to the toilet regularly, this will begin to negatively affect the uterus, ovaries, and brain. This process causes an imbalance in the menstrual cycle and pain. Therefore, it is important to eat fiber so that you constantly clean out the disruptive substances. Other good sources of fiber are whole grain pasta, lentils, peas, and wholegrain bread.
Pineapple: Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain which counteracts prostaglandins, which otherwise contribute to inflammation and joint pain. Bromelain is said to have an anti-inflammatory effect and helps the uterine muscle relax, which relieves menstrual pain.
Eggs: They’re full of omega-3 fats, a linoleic fatty acid that helps the uterine muscle to relax, relieving the inflammation. Other foods that contain linoleic acid are salmon, tuna, and walnuts.
Spinach: Calcium deficiency can lead to menstrual cramps and fluid retention. Spinach is rich in calcium, magnesium, vitamin B6, and vitamin E preventing menstrual cramps by helping the body maintain natural muscle tension. Other foods that contain calcium are beans, almonds, and kale.
Pumpkin seeds: A handful of pumpkin seeds provides a good dose of zinc, which reduces cramps. Nuts also contain vitamin E, which helps reduce inflammation.
One of the best tricks to avoid menstrual cramps is to eat smaller meals more often to keep your blood sugar at a steady level. Also, avoid a lot of red meat and dairy products as they increase the risk of cramps as they promote the production of prostaglandins.
Exercise or Do Yoga
Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels
Although exercise may be the last thing on your mind when you have cramps, it can alleviate the pain. A short walk or light exercise can help the uterus relax, reducing pain. However, you must listen to the body – do not exercise if your body cannot do it.
It’s also nice for the body and soul to let go of tension and relax during your period. There are many different positions in yoga that work really well if you have painful symptoms.
The child’s pose is a relaxing pose where you stretch your back and stomach which are considered to calm menstrual cramps. The reclining butterfly and cobra poses are also good for menstrual cramps as they release tension.
Massage and Heat
Just as it can help to massage a sore foot, you can also massage a cramping stomach.
Physical touch contributes to us feeling good and is especially beneficial during menstrual pain. When we’re touched, a substance called oxytocin is released, a hormone that gives us a positive feeling in the body and makes us feel good and relaxed.
With a massage, we give the body an oxytocin boost and it gives a relieving effect on menstrual pain. Feel free to use warm massage oil that smells good to enhance the experience. A light stomach massage with a mixture of soothing essential oils such as almond oil, sage, lavender, or cinnamon diluted in coconut oil provides significant relief in severe menstrual cramps.
Putting something warm, such as a heat patch, wrap, or water bottle, can relieve the pain on your stomach or back. The heat helps the muscles to relax, which causes the pain to subside. It can also help to shower in warm water or soak in a warm bathtub as the pelvic muscles relax.
Final Thoughts
Menstrual cramps are never fun and they can sometimes feel downright unmanageable.
Fortunately, some ways such as trying out CBD products, eating fresh foods like fruits and veggies, exercising, trying out a certain yoga pose, or getting a relaxing warm massage have been proven to help relieve the pain.
These are practical self-care tips and tricks worth exploring so that you can prevent the pain from interfering with your day-to-day life and continue with activities that bring you joy.
Add Your Comment